MBABANE, Swaziland — As the Church of England weighs whether to allow women to become bishops, the Anglican Church has ordained its first female bishop in Africa.

Ellinah Wamukoya, 61, was consecrated Saturday to serve as bishop in Swaziland, a tiny, impoverished nation surrounded by South Africa. Wamukoya said Monday that she wanted to bring integrity to the church.

‘‘I am going to try to represent the mother attribute of God,’’ Wamukoya said. ‘‘A mother is a caring person but at the same time, a mother can be firm in doing whatever she is doing.’’

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Wamukoya also acknowledged that she represents a historic change for the Anglican church on the continent, where other denominations don’t allow women to serve as bishops. Recently, the Southern Africa diocese elected a second woman, Margaret Vertue, to become a bishop.